Robber jailed for raids at Leeds bookies

A CAREER criminal who threatened staff at two betting shops after telling them he was armed with a gun has been jailed for more than seven years.

David Crossley targeted a Coral and a William Hill bookmakers on the same day in the Harehills area of Leeds on October 21 last year.

Crossley, 39, went into both premises holding a bag before pointing it towards counter staff and telling them he was holding a gun.

Leeds Crown Court heard £400 in cash was handed to Crossley at Coral but he left empty handed in the attempted William Hill raid.

Two days later Crossley used his girlfriend’s car during a burglary at a house on Oakwood Lane.

Crossley caused a disruption to the internet signal as he took property from downstairs rooms.

The owner of the house was upstairs at the time of the break-in and went to investigate.

Crossley ran from the property but was chased by the victim who saw him get into a car which was registered to his partner. Crossley, of no fixed address was traced to her address.

His fingerprint was found at the scene of the burglary.

He pleaded guilty to robbery, attempted robbery and burglary.

The court heard Crossley has a long list of previous convictions and has served prison sentences for burglary.

Michael Collins, mitigating, said the offences were committed to fund Crossley’s addiction to crack cocaine.

He added: “He knows that he is going to spend the next few years in custody and he is going to concentrate on staying drug free and doing something positive with his life when he comes out in his mid forties.”